San Jose Sharks vs Washington Capitals Picks and Predictions March 15th 2025

San Jose Sharks vs Washington Capitals March 15th 2025

Making on a bet on this NHL game featuring the Capitals versus the Sharks? The puck drops at 5:00 ET, and you can watch it all unfold on NBCS. The game will be played at SAP Center in San Jose, CA. The Capitals come into this non-conference matchup favored by -1.5 goals. The over/under line currently sits at 6.5 goals.

Washington vs. San Jose Key Information

• Teams: Capitals at Sharks
• Where: SAP Center San Jose
• Date: Saturday, March 15th
• Betting Odds WAS -277 | SJ +226 O/U 6.5

The Capitals Can Win If…

Washington dropped to 43-15-8 after a 4-2 road loss to the Hurricanes. The Capitals were underdogs on the puck line, and the total of 6 goals matched the pre-game line.

After trailing 1-0, Washington took the lead with two goals in the first period. However, the Hurricanes responded with three unanswered goals, including one in the third period with just 9 seconds left, sealing the win.

Alex Ovechkin netted his 7th goal of the season on a power play, and Brandon Duhaime followed with his 2nd goal in the Capitals’ 4-2 loss to the Hurricanes. The Capitals took 21 shots on goal and recorded 15 giveaways.

Washington’s offense was limited to two first-period goals, with Duhaime scoring just before the end of the period. Nic Dowd picked up his 2nd assist of the season, while Dylan Strome added his 13th assist on Ovechkin’s goal.

Washington’s defense gave up the first goal to Carolina but then allowed three more after taking a 2-1 lead, including two in the second period and an empty-netter with 9 seconds left in the third. Charlie Lindgren made 41 saves with a 93.2% save percentage, but the defense struggled, giving up 44 shots on goal and managing just 2 takeaways.

• The Capitals have posted a 2-1 record in their previous three games. Against the spread, the team is 2-1 in these same games while going 1-1-1 on the over/under.
• The Capitals have gone 6-4 over their last ten regular season games. In these contests, the team went just 4-6 against the spread, while going 5-4-1 on the over-under.

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The Sharks Can Win If…

San Jose dropped to 18-40-9 after a 3-2 road loss to the Canucks. The Sharks held a 1-0 lead in the second period, but Vancouver tied it up and eventually scored the game-winner with just 26 seconds left in regulation.

As underdogs on the puck line, San Jose failed to cover. The total for the game was set at 6.5 goals, but the teams combined for only 5, keeping it under the line.

San Jose’s offense was held to just two goals in their 3-2 loss to Vancouver. Nico Sturm netted his second goal of the season, while Mikael Granlund added his sixth, scoring with 1:17 left in the third period.

The Sharks took 23 shots on goal but were hampered by 16 giveaways. They were shut out in the first period before Sturm opened the scoring 2:37 into the second.

Defensively, the Sharks will be looking to bounce back after giving up a late goal with just 26 seconds left in the 3rd period, which gave the Canucks a 3-2 win. Mackenzie Blackwood made 25 saves with a save percentage of 89.3%, and the Sharks’ defense added 6 takeaways and 21 hits.

• Over their last three regular season games, the Sharks have gone 1-2 straight up. Across this span, their puck line record sits at 2-1 to go along with an over-under mark of 0-1-2.
• Across San Jose’s last ten regular season games, their record sits at 3-7. Against the spread, San Jose went 7-3 in these games and finished with an over-under mark of 4-4-2.

The Lean

For a moneyline bet, I’m backing the Sharks to secure a victory over the Capitals at home. With the moneyline currently set at +226, I’m locking in my bet on the Sharks straight-up.

If you’re looking to get a bet down on this matchup, we foresee the Sharks winning the underdog. However, if you’re not as confident in the Sharks straight-up, we’d still recommend placing a bet on them to cover the puck line.

When considering the over/under line, which is currently at 6.5 goals, we believe that this game will go over that threshold, and we recommend wagering on the over.

Capitals Look to Rebound After Rare Shutout Loss

The Washington Capitals (42-17-8) enter Saturday’s game against the San Jose Sharks (18-45-6) looking for a bounce-back effort to close their three-game West Coast road trip. Washington, which leads the Eastern Conference, had its five-game winning streak snapped on Thursday in a disappointing 3-0 loss to the Los Angeles Kings. Meanwhile, San Jose picked up a rare victory against Chicago, snapping a three-game skid.

This matchup presents a compelling contrast: the Capitals are battling for the top seed in the East, while the Sharks are focused on development for the future. Bettors analyzing this game should consider Washington’s strong track record of responding after losses when evaluating NHL Betting Picks for this contest.

Capitals Offense Seeking a Spark

Washington’s loss to the Kings wasn’t just their first defeat in nearly two weeks—it was also one of their worst offensive performances of the season. The Capitals generated only 21 shots, and superstar Alex Ovechkin was held without a shot on goal for the first time since the season opener.

The power play was a major issue, as Washington failed to convert on two early opportunities that could have changed the game’s momentum. Coach Spencer Carbery noted that his team “just never found it” offensively and will need a more structured attack against San Jose.

Despite the setback, the Capitals remain a well-balanced team that has been excellent at rebounding after losses. They’ll need to be sharper in the neutral zone and create more offensive zone time against a Sharks defense that has struggled all season.

Sharks Continuing to Develop Young Talent

San Jose enters this game with momentum after a 4-2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks. The victory, while insignificant for their playoff hopes, was an important step for their young core.

Macklin Celebrini continues to shine, leading all NHL rookies with 20 goals and ranking second in rookie points (49). Will Smith has also been in strong form, riding a five-game point streak with three goals and four assists in that span.

Another rookie making an impact is Collin Graf, who scored twice against Chicago and has five points in his last five games. With the Sharks focused on developing their future core, these young players will continue to play big minutes down the stretch.

Head-to-Head Matchup Breakdown

Washington enters this contest as the clear favorite, but San Jose has shown it can compete when playing structured hockey. The Capitals will need to avoid the slow start they had against Los Angeles, while the Sharks will look to build on their strong third-period effort against the Blackhawks.

Washington has won four of the last five meetings against San Jose and has the clear edge in talent, but this game will come down to whether the Capitals can execute offensively after their struggles in L.A.

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Expert Prediction and Betting Insight

The Capitals rarely stay down for long, and with Eastern Conference playoff positioning on the line, expect a more engaged effort in this matchup. Ovechkin and the top lines should find more scoring chances against a Sharks defense that ranks among the league’s worst in goals allowed.

San Jose’s young core has provided excitement, but their defensive lapses remain a concern. If Washington can create more offensive pressure than they did against Los Angeles, they should have no trouble securing a win to close out their road trip.

For more betting insights, check out our latest NHL Expert Picks before placing your final wagers.